Bartolo Mascarello's Barolo 2018 is a Piemonte-based red Barolo, made entirely from Nebbiolo grapes. As always at this estate, it was not bottled as a single cru but was instead made by blending wines from multiple vineyards. What makes this wine special is its alcohol content. At 15%, this is the first time a Mascarello Barolo has reached this level. This clearly reflects the climate of that year, which saw alternating periods of cold and heat before giving way to a dry summer, with the October harvest completed within the first three weeks.
Winemaking followed the winery's traditional methods. Fermentation took place on the skins for 45 days, using the ancient cappello sommerso technique, in which the layer of skins that rises to the surface is submerged back into the wine. It was a long, slow, and unhurried process.
Approximately 1,500 cases were produced. The 2018 vintage of Piemonte's Barolo presented a fresher and more open wine than the bigger years, featuring vibrant acidity and soft tannins. However, this is not a wine meant to be consumed immediately. It will be at its best until 2050.
Robert Parker (97)
This is a superbly delicate and carefully finessed wine that interprets the growing season with its alternating cold and hot intervals in an impeccable manner. The Bartolo Mascarello 2018 Barolo puts Nebbiolo and the vintage seamlessly together like lock and key. It opens to a beautiful drinking experience. The bouquet shows detail and finely tuned aromas of redcurrant, violet, rusty nail and blood orange. On the palate, this Barolo is so shiny and polished that it feels like silk. Without a doubt, this is one of the top wines of 2018.
Jancis Robinson (17.5)
Just mid ruby with orange tinges. An enticing, savoury minerally nose. Succulent and youthful palate with satin-like yet persistent tannins. Very long and elegant but with plenty of concentration. A fine balancing act. Such a long, juicy finish!
BOW (9-)
Falstaff (98)
Clear, brightening garnet red. Finely drawn nose with pronounced notes of raspberry, some plums, plus orange peel and a hint of coriander seed. Shows wonderful texture on the palate, very juicy and vivid, opens with grippy tannins in many layers, fine raspberry notes, lingers for a very long time.
